"Gig 601XL Builder" wrDOTgiaconaATsuddenlink.net wrote:
I especilly like this from the ACLU site

"IN BRIEF
The national ACLU is neutral on the issue of gun control. We believe
that the Constitution contains no barriers to reasonable regulations
of gun ownership. If we can license and register cars, we can license
and register guns. "

I wonder how they would react if there were a law that required you to
be registered to speak?

I applaud some of the fights that the ACLU picks. But on a number of issues
they are clearly in favor of state power rather than civil liberties. The
historical context (a bunch of rebels - literally self-armed civilians)
makes the intent of the Second Amendment clear. And a lot of state
constitutions explicitly grant individuals the right to keep and bear arms.
Here's a nice summary of what state constitutions provide (and don't
provide) in terms of the right to own arms:

http://www.law.ucla.edu/volokh/beararms/statecon.htm

I see at least two states whose constitutions (or declaration of rights)
date from within couple years of the federal constitution that explicitly
grant individuals the right to keep and bear arms:

"Pennsylvania: The right of the citizens to bear arms in defence of
themselves and the State shall not be questioned. Art. 1, § 21 (enacted
1790, art. IX, § 21).
1776: That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of
themselves and the state; and as standing armies in the time of peace are
dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up; And that the military
should be kept under strict subordination, to, and governed by, the civil
power. Declaration of Rights, cl. XIII."

"Vermont: That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of
themselves and the State -- and as standing armies in time of peace are
dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up; and that the military
should be kept under strict subordination to and governed by the civil
power. Ch. I, art. 16 (enacted 1777, ch. I, art. 15)."